Seoul opposition party moves to restore funding for broadcaster TBS

Seoul's main opposition party, the Democratic Party, intends to reintroduce an ordinance to support the public broadcaster TBS, which is facing potential closure due to funding cuts. This initiative marks the first significant test of cooperation between the city council's majority and the new Seoul mayor.

TBS, officially the Seoul Metropolitan Facilities Management Corporation Media Foundation, began as a traffic radio station in 1990. It became an independent city-funded institution in February 2020 following the establishment of its own ordinance. However, its financial situation deteriorated after the conservative People Power Party gained a majority in the Seoul City Council following the 2021 by-election and the 2022 local elections.

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We will push for the establishment of the TBS support ordinance as party policy after a general meeting of lawmakers before the August extraordinary session.

In July 2022, council members from the People Power Party proposed abolishing the TBS establishment and operation ordinance, citing "biased broadcasting" and arguing against using taxpayer money for it. The ordinance was passed in November 2022. Although prominent programs, including "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory," were subsequently canceled and their hosts departed, the city's budget for TBS continued to be reduced, leading to a complete cessation of funding from June 2024. Consequently, TBS lost its status as a city-funded institution.

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TBS has lost its fairness, and that must be acknowledged. However, this is not a decision I can make alone; it must be decided in consultation with the city council. I am not closing the door to new discussions in a new atmosphere.

To resume city funding, a new ordinance is necessary. The Democratic Party, holding 80 of the 118 seats on the council, can pass legislation independently. Even if Mayor Oh Se-hoon exercises his veto power, the council can override it with a two-thirds majority. However, legal procedures, including city-level planning and consultation with the Ministry of Interior and Safety, are required for TBS to regain its status as a city-funded entity under the Local Government Investment and Loan Act. Furthermore, the Seoul Metropolitan Government retains the authority to allocate the budget, meaning TBS's normalization remains uncertain without the mayor's cooperation.

Mayor Oh has acknowledged TBS's loss of fairness but stated that the decision is not his alone and requires discussion with the city council. He has not closed the door on new discussions in a "new atmosphere." Meanwhile, TBS employees continue to work without pay, maintaining broadcasts with limited resources. Civic groups are urging Mayor Oh to open dialogue and for the Democratic Party to engage in responsible discussions to resolve the crisis.

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It makes no sense for political power to decide the fate of a public broadcasting station with a 36-year history for the sake of specific programs. We cannot accept this.